Neymar voiced his disappointment with the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, specifically targeting the fifth‑place finish of Barcelona winger Raphinha. The Santos forward took to social media, calling Raphinha’s position “a huge joke.” His reaction follows Ousmane Dembélé’s receipt of the 2025 Ballon d’Or, ahead of Lamine Yamal, with Raphinha trailing Dembélé, Yamal, Vitinha and Mohamed Salah.
Raphinha enjoyed a standout season with Barcelona, helping the club secure both the LaLiga title and the Copa del Rey. He amassed 56 goal contributions in 57 appearances, establishing himself as a key player for the Blaugrana. Neymar’s comments suggest he believes Raphinha’s achievements merit a higher ranking in the Ballon d’Or standings.
The Ballon d’Or is an annual award presented to the world’s best footballer, with rankings determined by a panel of international sports journalists who evaluate individual and team performances during the eligibility period. The 2025 edition was presented on Monday night, with Dembélé emerging as the winner.
Neymar’s reaction has attracted attention, given his stature in the sport and his shared Brazilian heritage with Raphinha. The remarks have also reignited the ongoing debate over the subjective nature of football awards and the differing opinions on player performances. The 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings have sparked extensive discussion among fans and pundits, with some echoing Neymar’s assessment and others defending the results. As the football community continues to weigh in, the debate is likely to persist, and many will be eager to see how the rankings unfold in the next edition.
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